Steel roof.



P. M. HEARD.

STEEL ROOF. PPLICATION HLED mn. 15. |916.

Patented May l, 1917. 3 SHETS`SHE T l IWBAH, STEEL ROOF. APPLrcATmN minJAN. s, 191s.

Patent@ Mw l, 191'?.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

law. 1 1 Anm..

Y n T P. BEARD. STEEL ROOF.

` APPLICATION FILED JAN. l5. i916. d

Patented May 1, 1917.

entre.,

PAUL M. BEARD, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN CAR ANDFOUNIDRY COMPANY, OF SI. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

STEEL ROOF.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May ll, ldt' Application-tiled January 15, 1916. Serial No.72,254.

To all whom/'15 may concern.

Be it lniownthat l, lxnn M. Bimini, residing at St. Louis.l\Iissouri,and being citi zen ot' theUnited States, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Steel Roofs, of which theJfollowingr is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it alipertains to make and to use thesaine, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. whichillustrate the preferred forni of the invention, though it is to bennderstood that'the invention is not limited t0 the exact details ot'construction shown and described, as itis obvious that various modi!fications thereof will occur to persons skilled in the art.

ln said drawings- Figure l is a plan view ot' a portion of the rootlshowing the central and side panels thereof assembled.

Fig. 2 is a longitiulinal sect-ion through a little more than one ot'the assembled root units and is taken on line 2-2 ot' Fig. l.

Fig, il is a ltransverse section` through slightly more than one halt otthe roof, the section being in the plane indicated by line 3--3 oi" Fig.l..

Fig. l is an enlarged fragmentary plan view otl a portion of one oi theroof joints i and shows the method of joining the roof pans together forthe root.

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line oit Fig. L

Fig.- (3 is an enlarged detailed section through one ot' the rootljoints being taken on line 2 2 of Fig. ll.

. Fig. 7 is a `fragmentary side elevational view of the root andillustrates the casting anchoring the rootl sheets to one of the sideplates of the car.

Fig.I H is a detailed section showing the cap piece. mounted upon rootpans.

Fig. il is another detailed section taken through a portion ot one ot'the side plates au,d the end ot' the roof pan that rests thereu ion.

Fig. Vl() is a. perspective vlew otl a portion of one ot' the cappieces, and

Fig. ll is another perspective view of to t'orin a supporting arch theroot pans but with the cap piece re- 'moved This invention al'ipertainsto modern steel roofs and has for an object the portions of such a roofwherein extended ventilation spaces are present throughout the length ofthe car and between the positions of support of the roof.

In addition to the ventilation, flexibility is given to the roof and thelatter coniprises sections so joined togetherl that the roof isthoroughly water-tight.

Another object is to so form the elements of the sections or units andassociate with thein auxiliary parts insuch manner that aself-supporting roof structure results.

Other features of the invention will become manifest hereinafter andcome within the scope of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, l indicates a series of central panelsections having an end to end disposition and extending longitudinallyot' the car. The central panel sections are of channel-shaped crosssection and have depending flanges 2 along the-ir sides. At theirmeeting ends the central panel sections are each provided withnpstanding flanges 3, those of one section hav ing vertical contact withthe adjacent flanges 3 of the next sections except in the ,end portions3 of said flanges 3, said end portions 3 being bent with an appreciablecurvature so that those of contacting flanges 3 are turned in oppositedirections.

0n each side of the central panel coinprising the central panel sectionsl are side panels comprising a series of successive roof pansl ofsubstantially the saine length as the sections l of the center panel. Inreality the root'pans 4, which are of sheet metal, are of slightly lesslength than the central panel sections l so that the vertical flange ofa n angle. 5 may extend between the juxtaposed upturned flanges 7 ofVadjoining root' pans. As seen in Fig. 3 `angle il is somewhat longerthan the width of the Center sections l but such excess of length is,preferably, only extensive enough to provide suiiicient riveting areafor the transverse lianges 7 of the. roof pans l, rivets S connectingsaid flanges with the upstanding flange of angle 5. The upperedge of thevertical flange ot' angle 5 in passing under the central panel sectionsl lies entirely under the meeting line o'f' the abutting upright flanges3 of adjoining central panel seetions as is shown in Fig.. 6. Roof .pansfilare each provided with an inner npstandin'gl flange 7a whichf isreally a continuation v end f `Fig. 1. Extending outwardly from each`end oftie ruiming board supporting poi'` opposing teiniiiials r2 of theside. flanges 2 ofthe center panel of the transverse roof'pan flange 7,both flanges 7 and 7 being merged by rounded corners. The inner flanges7a of roof pans t lie against the inner faces of the depend'- ing sideflanges 2of the center enel sections l and are secured thereto troughout the major portions thereof by rivets 9. rI he portions 2 of.each depending side Harige 2 of' each center panel section 1 aredeflected outwardly so that the opposite ends of each center panelsection are flared as best seen in Figs. 4: and 11. The flared portions2l of the side flanges 2 of the center panel sections terminate at theouter faces 'of the sides or depending flanges 10 of the joint cap 11.The outer edges of the ei'teir `sions 3 of the upstanding center panelsection flanges 3 bear against the inner f ace's of the depending sideflanges 10 of the joint cap 11 and between the terminals of theupstanding flange end portions 3 and the of the flared portions A notch12 side of the section are formed notches 12. is, therefore, present ateach joint and the depending flanges 10 of the joint cap have theirinner edges inserted into the notches 12` the joint cap thus becominginterlocked with the sections of' the central panel at each joint.

As clearly sccn in Fig. 4, the flanges 7 and4 7 of the roof pans -f liewell within the depcndin flanges 10 of the jointwcap 11 and the de ectedflange portions 2 of' the central panel sections. The curvature of theextensions 3 of the upstanding flanges 3 of' abutting center panelsections is such that water draining from said center panel sectionswill be deflected b v thc extensions 3 of the flanges 3 into thc roof'pans 4, preserving the unter-tight qualities of the joints between theunits comprising the center panel sections 1 and the side panel sec-vtions coinprehendin f the roof pans. The joint. caps 11 each has acentralportion 3 adapted to support running boards 14 which are. securedto said center portidns 13 of the joint caps by bolts or other suitablemeans.

Running boards 14 are also afl'orded sup port. by ribs 27 pressedupwardly-1n the central panel sections] as clearly shown in tion 13 ai'einverted U-shaped portions of .said'joint cap which contain the dpending side flanges 10. These inverted shaped port-ions extend to thecarside ,and gradually increase in width as they do so.

In the upper U-shaped portion of the joint ca) is generated acontinuously widening c iannel or groove 15 which is widest at the carsides.-

As said channel progresses outwardly, it also increases in depth and atits outer end the depending flanges 10 of the joint cap rest upon theroof castings 1h surface of' each inverted Leganes 11 are secured toflanges 17 ofan anchor castingI 18 by rivets 1t).

Castings 18 serve to anchor thc root structure to the side plates 1G ofthercai, each having a bottoni flange 2S riveted to the bottonioutstanding flange of the Z- shaped side plate 16. Between the flanges17 the anchor casting web 20 is provided along its upper edge with a rib20 adapted to support the roofl pausa through the contact of the bottomedges of' their eaves flanges 23 resting upon'said rib 20 of' the lowerweb 20 of anchor listing 18. Also between the vertical flanges 17 is an"upper web 21 and 'ioin thercar of the latter inwardly extending fingers22 engage and pan sheets adjacent the eaves .flanges 23 which dependfrom the outer edge of' cach root' pan 4. Said anchor are cach also`provided with a top flange, 2l which is conformed to the shape of thcchannel or depression 15 in the upper side of the joint cap 1i.

The webs 20 18 lie in, different vertical planes, the lower web 20 lyingagainst the outer face of' the web of side plate'I 16 and the upper web21 being spaced outwardly therefrom. Said anchor casting' webs 2() and21 are also vcrtically spaced from each other to produce t e aperture 25vbetween theinf The rootI panretaining fingers 22 being more narrow thanthe width of the lower and upper anchor casliiig-webs20 and 2l, and thecaves flanges 23 of ad pans being spaced apart an air passage iscreated, the inlet of which is the space 25 between the upper and lowerwebs 2l and 2 0, respectively, that is present between the fingers 22and the edges of adjoining eaves flanges 23. As seen in Figs. l and 3this passage is maintained above the upper flange of the side plate 16by depressions 26 progressively spaced in thebody portions of the rootIpans 4. The material in the bot# tom of sai(l clepi'essioiis 26 liesupon thel top flange of' the side plate 1G causing the bQdv portions ofthe roof pans l to be spaced li suitable distance above saidv side platetop flanges, thereby.maintaining the air passage 'from the aperture 25in the anchor casting 18 to the interior of the car at the joints. i

It is also obvious that inasmuch as the eaves flange 23 of each roof panis spaced from the outerlfaces of the webs of' the side lplates 1Gthroughout the lengths of said side plates a series of successive airpassages is created along the car sides throughout the lengths thereof.i

Between successive depressions 26 the air passage extends from thebottoni of eaves flange 23 and exists between the inner face of saidflange 23 and'the outer face-of the web of the side plate to the top ofthe latterA and 2l of' thc anchor casting respectively, joining roofilOCMassese passage continues between the upper tace of the top flange ofthe side plate 16 and the under face of the body portion of the root1pan to the car interior. Similar air passages, of course, are presentbetween each anchor casting '18 and the next adjacent de pression 26 oneither side thereof.

From the foregoing it is evident that the improved roof is provided withVa central panel and similar side panels on opposite sides thereof 'andthat each of these panels are made up of sections. Each central panelsection and the side l)enel sections, heretofore called roof ans, whichare alined therewith transverse y of the car, constitute a root' unit,and these units are arranged successively longitudinally ot the car,and, as

joint caps interlocking with and connecting 1 acl set forth, are securedto ether resulting in a strongly connected roo structure.- 1t has alsobeen Iliade plain that adjoiningrool' units have their joints thoioughlyWeatherprooed, and that the joint caps are constructed toshedaccumulated Water and have portions which coperate with ribs in thecentral panel. sections to supportl the usual running boards. 'L

Another novel feature developed, is the combining of the. transverselyarranged .dam-Yes 7 of the roof pans with the relatively short,centrally locatcdtransverse angle 5 so that the resultant structureis'the equivalent of afcarline cxtendingrom one side plate 16 to theside plate 1G at the opposite side of the carl The joining together otthe opposite flanges 2 and 7 of the central panel sections and y.theroof pans, respectively, creates a roof which extends from car side tocar side, andas there are spaces between the inner faces of the eavesflanges 23 of the roof pans Qi and the outer faces of the Webs of theside plates 1li, the roof is possessed of flexibilitytransversely of thecar.

1. In combination in a car roof, successively arranged roof unitscomprising connected central and side sections,` successive sidesections being rigidly colnected near said central sections andcontiguous ends of the central sections being u'nattached, and

said central. sections in a. relation-preserving manner.

2. 1n combinationin a car roof, successively arranged root unitscomprising central and side sections having rigidly connectedsubstantially vertical side flanges, said central sectionshaving),runconnected op- )osing end portions, and joint caps projectmg into andinterlocking with contiguous central end portions and extendingdisconnectedly overconnccted portions of said side sections.

3.1n combination in a car root, side plates, successively arranged roofunits com prising connected central and side sections of substantiallythe same extent longitudinally of the root', the former and latter ofsucceeding units being, respectively, unattached and connected and capsextending the sides of said central sections, the central and sidesections of succeeding units being, respectively, unattached andconnected, and joint caps interlocking with juxtaposed centra'l sectionends and being anchored to said side plates.

5. In combination in a car root', successive roof units comprisingcentral and side sections, the former ot' succeeding sections hav' ingupstanding portions and contiguous ends of said side sections beingconnected, and joint caps inclosing the connected side sec tion portionsand extendingr over and being supported by said upstanding portions and`formed into running board saddle seats.

6. In combination in a car roof, successive roof units comprisingcentral sections having depending flanges and side sections providedwith upstauding` flanges adapted to receive said depending flanges andto form 'ns )ortions of said-central sections extending materiallywithinthe pan boundastituting fluid-delectors.

7. In combination in a car roof, successive roof units comprisinglcentralsections having expanded tops and sides in their end portionsand connected side sections, abutting upstanding flanges on the'ends ot'adjoining central scctions provided with .waterdeflecting extensions and'aps inclosing the joints between said sections, extending over saidcentral sections and projecting into the expanded top portions andbctwccu the expanded side portions of said central sections.

S; ln combinationin a car root, opposing vroof sheets extending towardbut not to cach other from opposite root si lesaiid each provided with aliange extending transversely Ot' a car and an intermediate memberconnected to the inner ends ot' the flanges of said opposing root'sheets and forming a carline therewith.

9. ln combination in a car root, successive roof sections on oppositecar sides provided with llangcs extending transversely ot the roof butnot to the longitudinal median line of the roof, whereby the-inner endsof said flanges of' the root sections on one of the car sides are moreor less spaced from the inner ends of the corresponding llanges of theroof sections on thc opposite cuir side, and intermediate embers eachconnected with said transverse flanges ol an opposing anch pair of roofsections and forming a carlinetherewith.

10. In combination in a car roof, spaced longitudinally extendin sets ofsuccessive side root' sections provi ed with longitudinal and.transverse flanges, intermediate members connected with and connectingthe transverse flanges of opposing side sections and forming carlinestherewith, and central roof sections closing the space between saidspaced sets of side sections and connected with said longitudinalflanges.

l1. In combination in a car roof, spaced longitudinally extending setsof successive f side roof sections provided with longitudinal andtransverse flanges, central roof sections embracing said side sectionlongitudinal flanges, and intermediate members each pi-ovidedwith aflange extending between the transverse flanges of contiguous sidelsections andl under saidy central sections and Jforming ararline withthe associated trans# verse flanges of said side sections..

12. ln combination in a car roof, succes` sive root' units comprisingrcentral and side sections, the former being provided with pressedruiming board supports and upstaiiding end flanges, and .joint capsincl0sing contiguous portions of adjoining side sections, 'extendingover and being supported by said central section upstanding flanges andloi'med into ruiming board seats.

13. In combination in acar roof, a side plate, roof' sheet anchorssupported thereby, roof sheets retained by said anchors, and joint* capshousing contiguous roof sheet sides and being secured to said anchorsand provided with water-discharging channels.

1l. In combination in a car roof, a side plate, roof sheety anchorssupported thereby,` 'roof sheets retained near 'the side plafte by saidanchors, and joint caps housing contiguoiissides of adjoining roofsheets and being provided with waters'discharging channel; poi-tions andsecured to seat portions in said anchors conformed to said cap channelportions.

15. In combination in a car roof, aside platel having an upper flangeprojecting in wardly from the main portion of said side plate, roofsheet anchors supported by said side plate, roofl sheets extendingentirely across the top of said side plate and directly supported bysaid side plate flange and re tained bythe same and said anchors, andjoint caps housing and extending over contiguous edges of adjoining roofsheets .and beyond the flange-supported edges of the roof sheets. andalso being secured to said ors.

16. In combination in a car roof, a. side plate having an upper flange,roof sheet anchors connected to said side plate, roof sheets providedwith depressed Water-discharging channels spacing the major portions osaid roof sheets above said'side plate flange and also having eavesflanges spaced from but adapted to move toward saidvside plate,Ventilating passages being thereby created between the undersides ofsaid roof sheets and said side plate between successive channels.

17. In combination in a car roof, aside plate, roof sheets having`juxtaposed vtransvei'se portions and eaves flanges, a joint cap housingsaid juxtaposed portions, and a roof sheet anchor comprising a portionfor attachment to said side plate, a joint cap seat, supports for thelatter connecting the same and said attachment portion and roof sheetretaining portions. adjacent said eaves flanges. v

18. In combination in a car roof, a side plate, roof sheets havingjuxtaposed portions and eaves flanges, a joint cap for housing saidjuxtaposed portions, and a roof sheet anchor comprising a web forattachment to said side plate provided with a support `for said eavesflanges, a joint cap seat, supporting portions for the latter andretaining means for said roof sheets.

19. In combination in a car roof, a side plate, successive root' sheetseach having an eaves Harige separated .from that of the next roof sheet,caps housing joints between successive roof sheets, and roof sheetanchors each comprising spaced upper and lower webs indifferent-vertical planes, the latter being secured to said side plateand adapted to support said eaves flanges, web connecting portions andfingers coperating with said upper web to retain contiguous portions ofadjoining roof sheets.

20. In combination in a car roof, a side plate, successive roof` sheetspassingthereover and having dependii'ig eaves flanges,

roof sheet anchors each comprising connect-V ed spaced web portions oneof which is secuied to said side plate and members cooperating with saidother web portion to retain contiguous portions of adjoining roofsheets, and means spacing said roof sheets above said side plate, therebeing a passage between said webs, eaves flanges, one of said webportions and the side plate and over the latter to the interior of acar.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twowitnesses, PAUL M. BEARD. lVitnesses:

JAMES J. COOPER, HELEN C. CAMERON.

